Multi-Use Range of Motion Roller

ABSTRACT

A multi-use range of motion roller that combines the traditional benefits of a foam roller with the added benefits of strength and resistance training.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/488,388, filed May 20, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This disclosure is related to the field of exercise equipment. Specifically, this disclosure is related to resistance and stability exercise equipment that can be utilized for resistance training, stretching, self-massage, body support and stability exercises.

2. Description of Related Art

The foam roller, a generally cylindrical rod of compressed foam, has become a ubiquitous piece of equipment in the fitness industry and has been incorporated into many athletes' (across a wide variety of disciplines) daily training routines. The foam roller has gained its current notoriety in the fitness industry due to its ability to offer many of the same benefits to an athlete as a sports massage, without a large price tag. The combination of a user's body weight and the cylindrical foam roller provides myofascial release, breaks-up trigger points and soothes tight fascia, all while increasing blood flow and circulation to the treated soft tissues. Simplified, the sustained pressure provided by the user's body weight resting on the foam roller creates gentle, sustained pressure on the soft tissues while applying traction to the fascia. This technique results in the softening, lengthening and release of the fascia and the break-down of any scar tissue or adhesions located in the superficial fascia underneath the skin. By increasing flexibility and decreasing muscle tension in this manner, the foam roller can assist in the prevention of injury, enhance performance and expedite injury recovery.

In sum, the traditional foam roller can be used as a self-massage tool (by rolling a targeted muscle group or area on the foam roller to release muscle tension and trigger spots), a body part prop (by lying in a rest position on top of the foam roller, allowing the roller to help length and strengthen the spine), a stretch support and as a stability exercise apparatus (by performing push-ups or the plank position on the foam roller instead of the floor).

Despite the multiple beneficial properties of the foam roller, it is not a multi-purpose fitness apparatus; i.e., it is simply used as a muscle release, support and stretching mechanism. It is not utilized as a strength or resistance training fitness apparatus. Thus, the foam roller alone in its traditional format cannot be used to obtain a total fitness experience (i.e., stretching, muscle release and strength training). Accordingly, it would be desirable to develop a foam roller design that retains its original benefits (stretching and muscle release) while adding the ability to perform resistance training on the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Because of these and other problems in the art, described herein, among other things, is a multi-use range of motion roller that combines the traditional benefits of a foam roller with the added benefits of strength and resistance training.

In one embodiment, the multi-use exercise device comprises an elongated generally cylindrical foam roller having two terminating ends and a length therebetween; at least one quick release point attached to a surface area of the generally cylindrical foam roller; and at least one resistance mechanism attached to each of the at least one quick release points.

In one embodiment of the multi-use exercise device, the elongated generally cylindrical foam roller is comprised of polyethylene foam. In another embodiment of the multi-use exercise device, the quick release port is comprised of a fastener means, the fastener means chosen from the group consisting of: hook and loop fastener, clips, buckles, buttons, clasps, clamps, clips, toggles, straps, pins and pegs. In yet another embodiment of the multi-use exercise device, at least two of the at least one quick release points are located equidistant from each other on the elongated generally cylindrical foam roller. In one embodiment, the at least one resistance mechanism is permanently attached to each of the at least one quick release points. In another embodiment, the at least one resistance mechanism is temporarily attached to each of the at least one quick release points. It is contemplated that at least one resistance mechanism may be chosen from the group consisting of: resistance bands, resistance cords, and resistance tubing.

In another alternative embodiment it is contemplated that the multi-use exercise may further comprise a securing mechanism attached to the surface area of the elongated generally cylindrical foam roller, wherein the securing mechanism functions to secure a user to the elongated generally cylindrical foam roller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the multi-use range of motion roller with eight (8) quick release port(s).

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the multi-use range of motion roller with four quick release ports wherein a belt mechanism is attached to two of the equidistant opposing quick release ports.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the multi-use range of motion roller in a standing upright position.

FIGS. 4 a-b provide a listing of possible exercises that can be performed on the multi-use range of motion roller.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

FIG. 1 provides a prospective view of a diagram of an embodiment of the multi-use range of motion roller (101). As seen in FIG. 1, the multi-use range of motion roller (101) is comprised of a foam roller (102). Generally, any foam roller (102) known to those of skill in the art is contemplated as the foam roller (102) of the multi-use range of motion roller (101) described herein. For example, the foam roller (102) may be any diameter or length known to those of skill in the art for foam rolling (e.g., a 12 inch long×6 inch diameter foam roller). Further, the foam roller (102) may be comprised of any high density foam such as polyethylene foam (or other suitable resilient, compressible material composition for rolling exercise apparatuses) known to be utilized in foam or other exercise rollers (102). While the foam roller (102) depicted in the FIGs. is generally cylindrical, this orientation is not determinative as any elongated foam roller known to those of ordinary skill in the art which could function as a foam roller exercise device is contemplated in this application.

In addition to the foam roller (102), the multi-use range of motion roller (101) is comprised of at least one quick release port (103). The quick release port(s) (103) of the multi-use range of motion roller (101) are generally any attachment or fastener means for mechanically joining or affixing two or more objects together as known to those of skill in the art. For example, contemplated attachment means include, but are not limited to, Velcro®, hook and loop fasteners, clips, buckles, buttons, clasps, clamps, clips, toggles, straps, pins and pegs. Furthermore, contemplated quick release port(s) (103) can either provide a permanent or a temporary connection.

Generally it is contemplated that the quick release port(s) (103) of the multi-use range of motion roller (101) can be located anywhere on the surface area of the foam roller (102). In one embodiment in which there are two (2) or another even number of quick release port(s) (103), the quick release port(s) (103) will be located equidistant from each other along the diameter of the length of the cylindrical foam roller. FIGS. 1-3 show embodiments of multi-use range of motion rollers (101) with this equidistant orientation of quick release port(s) (103). In one embodiment of the multi-use range of motion roller (101) with equidistantly oriented quick release ports (103), as seen in FIG. 2, the quick release ports (103) will comprise a channel or alternate passage through the diameter of the foam roller (102). Another orientation of the quick release ports(s) (103) is at the terminal ends of the foam roller (102). FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the multi-use range of motion roller (101) with this orientation of quick release port(s) (103). In one embodiment of the multi-use range of motion roller (101) in which there are eight (8) quick release port(s) (103), as depicted in FIG. 1, three (3) of the pairs of quick release port(s) (103) will be located equidistant from each other along the length of the foam roller (102) and one (1) pair of the quick release port(s) (103) will be located opposite each other on the terminal ends of the foam roller (102). This orientation allows for a greater range and angle of motions that are available to a user when performing resistance exercises on the multi-use range of motion roller (101).

The quick release port(s) (103) of the multi-use range of motion roller (101) allow for the temporary or permanent (depending upon the embodiment) connection of a resistance mechanism (104) to the foam roller (102). For example, in an embodiment where the quick release port(s) (103) are a clipping mechanism, the resistance mechanism (104) will be clipped or attached to the quick release port(s) (103) so that it is fastened to the foam roller (102). In another embodiment where the quick release ports (103) comprise a channel through the diameter of the foam roller (102), the resistance mechanism (104), such as a resistance band, is threaded through this channel. Contemplated resistance mechanisms (104) also include resistance or exercise bands or tubing such as, but not limited to, Thera-bands®, resistance cords and other resistance bands or tubing known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Contemplated resistance mechanisms (104) also include both bands with handles and bands without handles. Other contemplated resistance mechanisms (104) include any exercise resistance apparatus known to those of ordinary skill in the art which could be attached to the quick release ports (103) of the foam roller (102). Further, in some embodiments more than one resistance mechanism (104) will be attached to each quick release port (103). An example of an embodiment of a multi-use range of motion roller (101) with this orientation is provided in FIG. 1. As seen in FIG. 1, the provided multi-use range of motion roller (101) has an opposing pair of quick release port(s) (103) at its terminating ends. Attached at each of these two particular quick release port(s) (103) are two resistance mechanisms (104). This particular orientation of resistance mechanisms (104) allows for a user to easily perform exercises (such as tricep extensions) with both arms simultaneously.

The inclusion of these resistance mechanisms (104) on the foam roller (102) allows a user to utilize the multi-use range of motion roller (101) to perform resistance training while taking advantage of the spine and stabilization effects of the foam roller (102), thus simultaneously and increasing strength and flexibility. Thus, the multi-use range of motion roller (101) combines the benefits of strength training with the supine stabilization of the traditional foam roller (102) all in a single unitary exercise apparatus.

Generally, the quick release port(s) (103) and the attached resistance mechanism(s) (104) are located at places along the foam roller (102) which allow for the user to perform resistance exercises while lying on the foam roller (102), kneeling on the foam roller (102), standing on the foam roller (102), standing against the wall with a foam roller (102) or taking any other orientation known to those of ordinary skill in the art for exercising with a foam roller (102).

In one embodiment of the multi-use range of motion roller (101), a belt, strap or other securing mechanism (105) to secure a user to the foam roller (102) will be attached to at least one of the quick release port (103) locations. In this embodiment, the belt functions to provide stability to the user on the foam roller (102) while exercising with the resistance mechanisms (104) attached to the remaining quick release port(s) (103). FIG. 3. Provides a depiction of a multi-use range of motion roller (101) with a securing mechanism (105).

A manner in which the disclosed multi-use range of motion roller (101) could be utilized by a user is as follows. First, the user would lay the multi-use range of motion roller (101) on the ground. Next, the user would lay on top of the foam roller (102) of the multi-use range of motion roller (101) in the supine position with the foam roller (102) generally located along the user's spine. Then the user would grasp two of the resistance mechanisms (104) attached to the foam roller (102) in the general location of the user's shoulders. The user would leave one arm extended laterally grasping one of the resistance mechanisms (104) and extend the other arm over the user's head, bringing it up and over the user's head while also raising the opposite foot until a point at which the hand and foot meet. Then the user would lower the foot and arm back to the starting position and change to the opposite hand and foot, repeating the sequence until the desired number of repetitions was obtained.

In sum, the multi-use range of motion roller (101) disclosed herein unlocks the hidden potential of the traditional foam roller (102) as a resistance therapy exercise apparatus in addition to a stretch and massaging apparatus. A partial listing of strength training exercises, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, that can be performed on the disclosed multi-use range of motion roller (101) are found in FIGS. 4 a-b. These exercises include, but are not limited to, shoulder therapy (performed in a supine, kneeling and seated position), core development (performed in a supine, prone and seated position) and back and hip therapy (performed in a supine and prone position), among a multitude of other resistance and stretching exercises that target the core, head, abs, hips, shoulders, triceps, biceps, pectorals, back, quads, and hamstrings with the overall goal being to improve structural balance, increase injury prevention and improve core strength.

While the invention has been disclosed in conjunction with a description of certain embodiments, including those that are currently believed to be the preferred embodiments, the detailed description is intended to be illustrative and should not be understood to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, embodiments other than those described in detail herein are encompassed by the present invention. Modifications and variations of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A multi-use exercise device comprising: an elongated generally cylindrical foam roller having two terminating ends and a length therebetween; at least one quick release point attached to a surface area of the generally cylindrical foam roller; and at least one resistance mechanism attached to each of the at least one quick release points.
 2. The multi-use exercise device of claim 1, wherein the elongated generally cylindrical foam roller is comprised of polyethylene foam.
 3. The multi-use exercise device of claim 1, wherein the quick release port is comprised of a fastener means, the fastener means chosen from the group consisting of: hook and loop fastener, clips, buckles, buttons, clasps, clamps, clips, toggles, straps, pins and pegs.
 4. The multi-use exercise device of claim 1, where at least two of the at least one quick release points are located equidistant from each other on the elongated generally cylindrical foam roller.
 5. The multi-use exercise device of claim 1, wherein the at least one resistance mechanism is permanently attached to each of the at least one quick release points.
 6. The multi-use exercise device of claim 1, wherein the at least one resistance mechanism is temporarily attached to each of the at least one quick release points.
 7. The multi-use exercise device of claim 1, wherein the at least one resistance mechanism is chosen from the group consisting of: resistance bands, resistance cords, and resistance tubing.
 8. The multi-use exercise device of claim 1 further comprising a securing mechanism attached to the surface area of the elongated generally cylindrical foam roller, wherein the securing mechanism functions to secure a user to the elongated generally cylindrical foam roller. 